Goemkarponn desk
PORVORIM: Goa Forward Party (GFP) MLA Vijai Sardesai today exposed the Goa Tourism department’s wasteful expenditure.
Vijai said that the Goa government has wasted RS 63 crore on promotion events across foreign countries.
“60% is the cut for tourism dept on every road shows and travel marts, 5% goes to the director. Govt has wasted Rs 63 crores on such events, said Vijai.
Sardesai had pointed out that the state had spent Rs 63 crore during the last four years including Rs 29.84 crore to promote Goa within India.
He pointed out that former chief minister Late Manohar Parrikar had emphasised that the pre-audit of the roadshows and accountability parameters should be framed.
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte told the House that the state is looking forward to emerging and new markets due to the crisis in the UK and Ukraine-Russia war.
Khaunte said that the participation in the international roadshows was to ensure that we present ourselves to the world, where emerging markets come.
“With the impact on tourism from the UK and Ukraine, we need to look at the emerging and new markets,” he added.
Earlier, the Minister told the House that Goa used to participate in these events but now states like Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka are attending the international marts.
“During the event, we have serious meetings with the trade on B2B and B2C meetings. The minutes are placed before the empowered committee before we decide the next course of action,” he said.
